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Cerny warns of complacency

Radek Cerny expects Slavia Prague to provide Tottenham with a stern test in the Uefa Cup on Thursday.

By Vasek Kadlec

Last Updated: 12/02/08 5:41pm

Radek Cerny expects Slavia Prague to provide Tottenham with a stern test in their Uefa Cup tie on Thursday.

Spurs will travel to the Czech capital confident of having enough quality within their squad over the two legs to ensure their safe progression to the last 16 of the competition, but Cerny has warned his team-mates not to underestimate their opponents.

Currently keeping Paul Robinson out of the Spurs side, Cerny moved to White Hart Lane on a long-term loan from Slavia and is in a better position than most to air his opinion on the opposition.

Tricky

"It is always tricky saying who are the favourites and who are not," Cerny told Pravo.

"If we did not go through, it would have been a big disappointment for the club.

"The only goal is to go through but I know that it will not be easy.

"I know Slavia better that any of the Tottenham players and I know that they played well in the autumn (group stages).

"There have been some changes made in their squad but still if I look at our squad and theirs, ours is of a much higher quality and it should be seen on the pitch.

"Overall I am looking forward to it and am curious as to how the fans will welcome me.

"I know a lot of people around football at Slavia and Prague is still my home, so it is going to be a special game for me."

Friends

Speculation continues to persist that Robinson is set to leave Spurs over the summer having lost his place to Cerny, but the Czech keeper insists that the two have retained a professional working relationship throughout the current situation.

"Our relationship is still good," Cerny said.

"We are good friends, just as we were during the time when I was on the bench.

"I can imagine that he is taking it badly, although I don't know how he feels.

"He was England's No.1 but missed the key qualification game against Croatia.

"If he had been in goal for that game then they would not have lost and would have qualified for Euro 2008. I am sure of it.

"Now, the new coach Fabio Capello did not pick him for the friendly against Switzerland which is also disappointing."